Lois Eleanor Flaherty, 83, Austin

Published 10:29 am Monday, April 29, 2013

Lois Eleanor Flaherty, 83, of Austin, Minn., passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at her home.

Lois Flaherty

Lois Eleanor Gullickson was born Nov. 1, 1929, in Austin, Minn., to Edward and Lillian Gullickson. As a young woman, she worked in the Paramount Theatre ticket booth, where she met her husband, James. They married on Sept. 16, 1950.

In addition to raising her children and being involved in their activities, Ms. Flaherty served as president of the Queen of Angels Catholic Church Rosary Council, the Sacred Heart Hospice and its auxiliary, Austin Heart Association and the Austin Artist Series. She also worked in the Hormel Foods Corporate Office. Mrs. Flaherty enjoyed spending time with her friends in the Sewing Club, cross-stitching and calligraphy and took special pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

Her family will deeply miss her compassion and generosity. They include her children, Sue (Fred) Cline, Austin, Mark (Joan) Flaherty, Rochester, Michael (Mary Lynn) Flaherty and Mary Flaherty, of Austin. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ryan (Melissa) Cline, of Austin, along with Grace, Adeline and Julia; Nathan (Erin) Cline of Bloomington, along with Charlie, Kate and Freddy; Jennifer (Josh) Ruhnke of Rochester, along with Will and Morgan; Laura (Zak) Koga, of Madison, Wis.; Andrea Flaherty, of Minneapolis; Angela (Dustin) Weber, Mankato; Michael (Becky) Flaherty of Fairmont; Ashley, Mariel and Jordan Flaherty, of Austin. Mrs. Flaherty also is survived by her two brothers, Duane (Kay) Gullickson of Austin and Robert (Sharon) Gullickson of Jacksonville, Fla.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper, Father Thomas Jennings, Father Paul Nelson and Father James Russell officiating. There will be a 4 p.m. CCW rosary on Wednesday at Mayer Funeral Home, where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. The casket bearers will be Ryan Cline, Nathan Cline, Laura Flaherty-Koga, Andrea Flaherty, Jennifer Ruhnke and Michael Flaherty. On behalf of Mrs. Flaherty, her family extends appreciation to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, especially David L. Hayes, M.D. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.